I think the best appointment President Obama made to his cabinet may be General Eric Ken Shinseki. A highly successful general, who spoke truth to power, maintained his integrity, and paid for it with his job. And choosing him was a thumb in the eye of the previous administration! I'm wondering if there isn't someone available for Commerce Secretary with essentially the same credentials.
I'll tell you who I'm suggesting and why....after the jump
Paul O'Neill is a highly successful business executive chosen by President Bush to a top post. O'Neill tangled with the loyalists, refused to toe the line, and was shown the door. Like Shinseki, he spoke truth to power, and paid with his job. Of course, O'Neill has plenty of money, and plenty of integrity, and he didn't need Bush.
He is a dedicated public servant, who has since then spent a great amount of time working on ways to create an electronic medical records database designed to reduce errors and improve care. The effort, in conjunction with the major health care providers in the Pittsburgh area, is viewed as a possble model for the nation.
I believe he endorsed Obama, even though he is a Republican.
He knows business. He knows economics. He has unquestioned integrity. And he told Bush and the loyal Bushies to go to hell.
Sounds to me like he merits consideraton.